Unable to start Monterey setup

Try the following:

#1 - boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3-5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

#2 - go to the System/Software Update preference pane and begin the download.

#3 - run the installer from the Safe Mode.

I've had better luck from the Safe Mode because I evidently have some 3rd party software that interferes with the installation.

tuareg2011 wrote:

After downloading the setup file, in the screen with the primary disk, and after inserting the admin password, the process doesn't continue. Each time I select "Continue" it just asks me again for the admin password, and i stay here in a loop.

Uninstall any antivirus or VPN

If you download the full installer it will be sitting in your Applications folder "Install macOS Monterey.app"

Launch it like any other applications.

What I would do in that situation is boot into the Recovery volume (boot with the Command + R keys held down) and reinstall the system.

If you've forgotten the password it'll be easier to reset it according to this Apple document: If you forgot your Mac login password

Pardon my lack of understanding " I'm using a mobile admin account. But i've also tested with a local admin account and the behaviour is the same. " Does this have something to do with Activity Directory ?

Did you ever get a solution to this? I am having the same issue,... Took VPN off along with AntiVirus and used safe mode and still getting the Admin loop,.... Any insights that you can share would be helpful :-)

Hi Old Toad!

That is my very last resort sadly,.... It is hard to comprehend that you have to reinstall MacOS Big Sur to be able to install MacOS Monterey,.... Configurations and third party applications I get can interfere with an install, all of which have been mitigated. In 2021 I would expect that there would be an apple response to this. The Macbook Air M1 was purchased this year new in August and I want to exhaust all options before having to reinstall and go through all of the applications, data transfers and reinstalls that will take some significant time,... So yes it is on the list to try but I would prefer something less involved and consuming,...

So I am hoping for a few more insights, if you have any more ideas please share and I will try,... Again a full reinstall of Big Sur should not only be a last resort, but in the year 2021 Apple must have a better solution to this :-) Just saying :-)

Thanks,

Chris

Hi tuareg2011,

What year was your 13" MacBook Pro made in? Does it have the M1 chip?

How do I get the password for administrator to log in